2023 Atypical Die Clash ADC-25C-2023-01EK

Description

Submitted by Robert Umbarger, ADC-25c-2023-01EK holds the distinction of being the first reported atypical die clash on a 2023 American Women Quarter — specifically on the Philadelphia Mint Edith Kanaka'ole reverse. An atypical die clash occurs when obverse and reverse dies come together without a planchet between them, but with an additional element such as a struck coin or foreign object altering the transferred design pattern, producing clash marks that differ from a standard die clash. On this specimen, the clash impression is stronger on the obverse, where a legible transfer of "EDITH" is visible on Washington's head, along with additional design details transferred from the reverse. The reverse also shows clash evidence, though less pronounced. Cataloged by MadDieClashes, this variety documents the interaction between the standard Washington obverse and the Edith Kanaka'ole reverse honoring the Native Hawaiian composer, educator, and cultural preservationist. Atypical die clashes are far scarcer than standard clashes because they require the unusual circumstance of foreign material between the dies during the impact.

External References